The Tony Aspeslet Cyber Library

FOR THOSE WHO WISH MORE LIGHT IN ROYAL ARCH MASONRY

ROYAL ARCH DEVELOPMENT AN EXCERPT FROM "ROYAL ARCH MATTERS"

BY ROY A. WELLS

The position of the Royal Arch, in Masonic systems throughout the world varies to a considerable extent which may well have resulted from problems created by the premier Grand Lodge of 1717 and their persistent refusal to acknowledge its arrival and development. There is little question that it followed closely on the heels of the ‘Hiramic legend”, which probably appeared about 1725.

The Royal Arch as a follow‑up to introduce the second temple was in being well before 1751. It was automatically included by the Ancients Grand Lodge when the foundations for that body were laid in that year. The Royal Arch was conferred by them as a fourth degree.

The divergence in attitudes and administration of those two Grand Lodges continued until they came together in December 1811 to form the United Grand Lodge of England as it is known to this day.

We find a masterly compromise in the act of union which brought the two Grand Lodges together: ¼it was declared and pronounced that pure Ancient Craft Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz, those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch. But this article is not intended to prevent any lodge or chapter from holding a meeting in any of the Degrees of the orders of chivalry according to the constitutions of the said orders.

That statement may well have inspired the remarks addressed to the Candidate at the concluding stage of the exaltation ceremony as it is practised in England:

“You may perhaps imagine that you have this day taken a fourth degree in Freemasonry, such however is not the case, it is the Master Masons’ completed”.

The Royal Arch is a natural progression to reveal the “Genuine” secrets following the granting of certain substituted ones.

Shared Visions

A shared vision is not an idea.

A shared vision is, rather, a force in people’s hearts, a force of impressive power.

It may be inspired by an idea, but once it goes further ‑ if it is compelling enough to acquire the support of more than one person then it is no longer an abstraction. It is palpable.

At its simplest level, a shared vision is the answer to the question, “What do we want to create?”

Shared visions create a sense of commonality and give coherence to diverse activities.

A vision is truly shared when you and I have a similar picture and are committed to one another having it, not just to each of us, individually, having it.

Shared visions derive their power from a common caring.

Shared visions provide the focus and energy for learning.

A shared vision is a vision that many people are truly committed to, because it reflects their own personal vision.

Why Visions Die Prematurely

‘Several limits to growth’ structures can come into play to arrest the building of momentum behind a new vision:

The visioning process can wither if, as more people get involved, the diversity of views dissipates focus and generates unmanageable conflicts.

Visions need strong advocates, but advocates who can also inquire into others’ visions open the possibility for the vision to evolve, to become “larger” than our individual visions.

Visions can also die because people become discouraged by the apparent difficulty in bringing the vision into reality.

Emerging visions can also die because people get overwhelmed by the demands of current reality and lose their focus on the vision.

MASONIC EDUCATION “SOME OBSERVATIONS”

One thing and only one thing a Masonic Lodge can give it’s Members which they can get no where else in the world. That one thing is Masonry.....

- Carl H. Claudy ‑ The Masters Book

Let us proceed on the assumption that every candidate for the degrees sincerely desires the light Freemasonry has to offer him and expects to receive it.

- Dwight Smith P.G.M. Indiana

What would be the success of a lawyer who never again looked at Law books after admission to the Bar;

A Minister who never again read the Bible after Ordination;

A Doctor who never read a Medical book after Graduation;

A Mason who did not “Look for Light” after being raised.

- Author Unknown

We are taught as Freemasons that the purpose of the Chisel is to smooth and prepare the stone for the hands of the more expert Craftsmen, and that, as a symbol, it points out the advantages of Education, by which means alone we are rendered fit Members of regularly organized society.

- William Preston (1770's)

When we become almost fully dependent on degrees and business meetings for total Masonic involvement, we deprive ourselves o the enrichment of Masonic Education.